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Accident site in Kirchhain: firefighters on duty
Photo: Nadine Weigel / dpa
A driverless tractor rolled onto the railway tracks near Kirchhain in central Hesse – and collided with a freight train.
In the accident on Wednesday evening, the locomotive partially jumped off the tracks and parts of the overhead line on the route between Kassel and Frankfurt am Main were torn off, the police said.
The driver was reportedly slightly injured.
There was no driver in the tractor at the time of the accident, police said.
Accordingly, the tractor was parked above the railway line and rolled onto the tracks from there.
It was said that it was still being determined why he started rolling.
The train driver initiated emergency braking, but was unable to prevent the collision.
According to the police, the railway line was completely closed.
According to a spokesman for Deutsche Bahn, regional trains returned prematurely, and two long-distance trains were diverted.
Attempts are being made to set up a replacement bus service.
It is unclear how long the ban will remain in place.
wit/dpa
